Hens Do Crow! June 7, 2019

Mother Nature decided to skip Spring it appears as the
temperatures have jumped into the 80s this past week. That has provided farmers
a chance to try to get the fields planted but the rains and heavy winter snow
melt make many fields impossible to reach or to even plant. The predicted rain
for the coming weekend will be putting an end to the planting season. There
will be many a disgruntled farmer this year so best not to mention this again!

Globe-trotting, or cycling, Cayuga native Randy Kiefer, also known as Singapore Slim, recently informed friends here about his progress on his most recent adventure, a bicycle ride from his Winter roost in Anchorage, Alaska, to his ancestral homeland in North Dakota. Here is Randy’s report, dated June 1, 2019:

“Greetings From Cold Lake, Alberta. Not much news since my last transmission. A few bears, foxes, moose, bison, mountain goats, deer, an elk, and even a badger. The latter was just 10 feet in front of me, then stopped in my lane, and gave me a look. YIKES!!! I didn’t know what to do. Wanted to grab the camera, but didn’t want to take my eyes off him (or her). At any rate, before I knew it, Mr., or Ms., Badger was off to the other side of the road, and into a pasture. That was a treat. So a brief by the numbers update: 1) How I got to Cold Lake, Alberta. 2) I rode the AlCan Highway from Tok, Alaska, to Fort St John, British Columbia. There I exited east on Cecil Lake Road, (British Columbia), Highway 64 (Alberta), to Grimshaw, then highways 2 and 55. 3) Some events: a) The winds north of Haines Junction, Yukon, were horrendous. They said up to 60 mph (100 kilometers per hour). Dust across the road was the least of my problems. At times I was riding at 65 degrees(?). Then I didn’t want to become an OCW Gloria. A rider from OC who went down and broke her hip in strong winds. So I walked, more than once. And at times it was all I could do to just stand upright. There is no winning on a bike in the wind. b) Fast forward to the highest pass on the AlCan, Summit Lake. Camped the night of the 19th. The lake was frozen over, a sunny frosty PM/AM in the tent. c) Next is the smoke deviation. Some of you noticed I planned a major loop to Yellowknife, Northwest Territory (NWT). After checking a map more closely, I had scaled my plan to Fort Providence, and maybe hitching in and out of Yellowknife. But the fires near High Level, Alberta, killed all of that. d) I rode north on Highway 7 to within 12 miles (20ks) of Fort Liard, but with all the smoke I hitched back to the AlCan, to Fort Nelson. The Alberta fires had forced the evacuation of High Level, and some roads were closed. The ups were killing my lungs, so I gave the loop a miss. Not likely to have another go at this area, but really had no choice – RATS!!! 4) The only news for me in riding in northern Alberta is the agricultural land. Enormous fields of tilled land. Large equipment, some even red. Also seeing the cow/calf operations was fun for me. 5) Tomorrow (June 2, 2019) I start across Saskatchewan toward Manitoba to meet fellow Apple Dumpling Gang members, Dick Reis and Don Isensee on 19 June. They will escort me to Fargo. That will be the end of my journey. This adventure started last April from Santa Barbara. Then I had a most enjoyable 7 month lay-over in Anchorage. And now will soon end my journey in Fargo. Thank you for travelling along. r/randy”.

Thanks to Randy for the report, and for allowing his more sedentary friends to enjoy the tour with him.

The Rutland City Council met on Monday, June 3rd,
for it’s regular meeting with the main focus on the Emergency Sewer-Lagoon
Project. The City Engineer was present to discuss the final plans and bid and
project schedule. The Council approved the plans and specifications as modified
to reflect the project to replace the four valves excluding any under road work.
The City Auditor was directed to advertise for bids for the project. The
proposed timeline for bid opening is July 9th with a special meeting
on July 10th or 11th so that the project can begin the
end of July or in early August. In other business the Council discussed the
lawns where grass exceeds 8 inches in height and the steps to get the lawn
mowed or the City will have it done and will assess to the property. City
Attorney LeeAnn Even presented a letter for Council discussion on the water
break that was discovered at 304 Bagley in March. Ms. Even discussed the
possible civil and criminal penalties for water theft. The Council approved the
letter and penalties as recommended by the City Attorney. Council Member Lysne
reported that the Community Service workers in Rutland have painted the
benches, and power washed the Pioneer House. The House will be painted when dry
following the power washing and the workers will also weed whack around towers
and poles as needed. One could be assigned to help clean the yard at 206 Second
Street so the lawn can be mowed. The next monthly meeting will be July 1 at 5
p.m. in City Hall.

The Rutland Blood Drive was held on Tuesday, June 4th,
and Janet Kiefer provided the following information on the Drive: 28
individuals donated: two providing RBC; two first-time donors; and one
deferred. The Drive takes a crew of volunteers to call donors, staff the
registration desk, set up and provide the lunch. A big thanks goes to this
year’s group of volunteers – Janet Kiefer, Sheila Wyum, Ronnie Narum, Joanne
Harris, Bonnie Anderson, Renee’ Cramton and Monica Bergh.

A Bridal shower will be held at the Nordland Lutheran Church
on Saturday, June 22, at 10:00 a.m. for Miss Cassie Cwikla, bride-to-be of
Daniel Temple, son of Dale and the late Bonnie Temple. The couple is registered
at Target.

Last December 11, 2018 Rutland won Town of the Week on the KVRR competition. Rutland is now included the Town of the Year Brackets that are out. Voting is open on their website for the first round until 3 p.m. Monday June 10th. Please get out the vote to help Rutland win round one and then check back for the next round. As of this morning, Rutland is about 50 votes behind. Voting is at https://www.kvrr.com/weather/town-of-the-week/ If you have more than one device, be sure to get your vote done on each one!

That’s it for news from Rutland. Be sure to send any event
notices or information for publishing on our website or on Facebook to rutlandnd@drtel.net.